B1-43 · Add points and limit praise in a review
Restaurant reviews
Use außerdem to add a point in the same direction and allerdings to add a point against, with the right word order, to write a short restaurant review.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
Adding a point with außerdem
Außerdem means besides or also. It adds another point in the same direction: something good after something good, or a problem after a problem. At the start of a clause it takes position 1, so the verb follows directly: Außerdem war der Service schnell.
Die Pizza war sehr lecker. Außerdem war der Service schnell.
The pizza was very tasty. Besides, the service was quick.
Das Restaurant ist gemütlich. Außerdem kann man draußen sitzen.
The restaurant is cosy. You can also sit outside.
Die Preise sind fair, und die Portionen sind außerdem groß.
The prices are fair, and the portions are big as well.
Außerdem gibt es eine gute Weinkarte.
There is also a good wine list.
Außerdem can also stand after the verb: Die Portionen sind außerdem groß. Obwohl and weil are not adverbs; they send the verb to the end, so they cannot replace außerdem.
02
A point against with allerdings
Allerdings means however or though. It adds a limitation or a point against what came before, often a problem after praise. Like außerdem, it can start the clause, with the verb next, or stand after the verb.
Das Essen war gut. Allerdings mussten wir lange warten.
The food was good. However, we had to wait a long time.
Die Atmosphäre ist schön, allerdings ist es ziemlich laut.
The atmosphere is nice, though it is quite loud.
Die Kellnerin war nett. Der Service war allerdings etwas langsam.
The waitress was nice. The service was a bit slow, though.
Ich gebe vier Sterne. Die Desserts waren allerdings zu süß.
I give four stars. The desserts were too sweet, though.
After a comma, allerdings still starts a new main clause: allerdings ist es laut, not allerdings es ist laut. Die Atmosphäre is the atmosphere and der Stern is a star in a rating.
03
Writing a review
A short review often mixes both words: außerdem for one more point in the same direction, allerdings for a point against. Choose by asking whether the next point agrees with the one before or limits it.
Ich gebe dem Restaurant eine gute Bewertung.
I give the restaurant a good rating.
Die Atmosphäre war angenehm, außerdem war die Musik nicht zu laut.
The atmosphere was pleasant; besides, the music wasn't too loud.
Die Portionen sind klein, allerdings ist die Qualität sehr hoch.
The portions are small; however, the quality is very high.
Ich empfehle das Lokal gern weiter.
I'm happy to recommend the place.
Die Bewertung means the rating or review, die Bedienung the service staff. Weiterempfehlen means to recommend to others; weiter goes to the end of the clause.
Ready to try it?
Check what you remember with 12 short questions.
Loading quiz…